Adrift in The Midst

A poem of middle age

Photo by Graphic Node on Unsplash

I am adrift in the middle of my life
With nothing collected
From all the days
That have gone
Everything has passed
Slipped away
Gone

And here I am
Adrift
In the midst of my life
Without partner
Or a close companion
Without a purpose
Or family
Or community
More alone
Than ever
Less
And less
Myself

There has been an accumulation
But also
A diaspora
And now
I am
Adrift
In the midst
Of my own life
With
Nothing
And no one
Not even
Me

John Gillen

2025